Lady Teacher set on Fire in Odisha’s Rayagada

A 27-year-old lady teacher was set on fire in Odisha’s Rayagada district. She has been moved to a hospital in Vishakhapatnam (Vizag) with 90% burn injuries and battling for life.

The lady teacher was identified as Itishree Pradhan, who hails from Delang in Puri district. She had joined work at the U.P. School in Tikiri in 2011. According to initial report, she did not enjoy good rapport with Netrasen Dandasena, the School Inspector.

The lady teacher was being harassed by the School Inspector and even complained against him many time. However, the DI and police officers failed to take any action against the SI. Itishree had lodged a sexual harassment complaint against Netrasen Dandasena three months ago and even raised the issue in the media.

She was initially threatened to withdraw her complaint. When she refused, she was set on fire by an unidentified man while she was taking rest at her house on Sunday night. The School Inspector, who was suspended following the incident, is still absconding, while the District Inspector (DI) and Police ASI have been suspended.